More than a million UK drivers skip vehicle services with a third citing costs as the main reason, according to new research carried out by Green Flag.
It found that one in 10 UK drivers don’t have an up-to-date service inspection, which equates to 1.3 million motorists, while a further 690,000 don’t know when their car is next due a service.
That means there about two million cars on UK roads that have missed their annual service and could have faults.
The research of more than 2,000 drivers found that 33% said they couldn’t afford it, while a quarter thought their cars were running fine and didn’t need servicing.
When drivers do book a service, 52% opted for a dealership when their car was less than two years old but one the car was older than six years 52% choose independent garages
Katie Lomas, managing director of Green Flag, said: “To see such a large number of vehicles on the road without being serviced recently is concerning for both drivers and other road users. It can increase the likelihood of breakdowns and accidents, which could be easily avoided by getting it regularly checked by a professional.
“Ensuring your vehicle is kept fully serviced is important for several reasons. Primarily for safety and peace of mind while driving, but also potentially reducing running costs and the likelihood of either a breakdown or experiencing further issues in the long run. Servicing helps to identify problems with a vehicle early and therefore helps to prolong the life span of your car.”
